Avalanche reported near Vail

Vail  Three people reportedly were caught in an avalanche Thursday in Mushroom Bowl, which is out-of-bounds terrain that is accessed from Vail Mountain, authorities said.

Shannon Cordingly, of the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, said authorities were advised that the avalanche occurred about 3 p.m. Vail Mountain Rescue Group was notified to assist with a rescue, but the Vail Ski Patrol members were able to handle the incident themselves, Cordingly said.

One of the people sustained minor injuries but was able to hike out of the area, Cordingly said.

A spokeswoman for Vail Resorts could not be reached Thursday evening.

Avalanche danger in the Vail area was rated as “high” above treeline and “considerable” near treeline.

“Weak basal snow, variable slabs and recent windloading mean that human-triggered avalanches are likely above treeline,” the center said in its Thursday report. “Stability evaluation is challenging. On other aspects the danger is moderate, and human-triggered avalanches are possible on steeper slopes.”